Tiny bistro tables and and compact chairs are eminently more practical for outdoors than big hulking monster pieces, because you can easily carry them from patio to lawn and back, to follow the sun. And if you don’t have much room? Even the smallest sliver of a balcony will try to accommodate a table for two. Here are 10 of our favorites:
Above: The Ikea Sundsö Table and 2 Folding Chairs in bright yellow is $129 for the set.
Above: The Santa Cruz Outdoor Stacking Dining Chair ($399 for a set of 2) and Sydney Outdoor Bistro Table ($399) are available at West Elm.
Above: The Emu Arc en Ciel 3-Piece Set (E3513), shown in iron, is $455.
Above: The HAY Palissade Cafe Set, shown in Iron Red, is $1,395 at Design Within Reach.
Above: The powder coated steel Tolix AC Chair ($740) and 55 Table ($1,290) were designed by French metalworker Xavier Pauchard and are still manufactured in Autun, France. Both are shown here in Pure White and available directly through Tolix.
Above: The Ikea Tärnö Table and 2 Chairs is $79 for the set. The manufacturer recommends that you protect the set with a water repellent cover and reglaze it once a year to maintain the finish.
Above: Designed by Studio BrichetZiegler for Petite Friture, the Week-end Chair and Week-end Table, both shown in Coral, are $525 and $1,395 respectively at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: &Tradition’s Thorvald Collection is made up of a sculpted Thorvald Side Chair ($495) and Thorvald Round Table ($1,015) both available at Finnish Design Shop.
Above: The quintessential metal cafe dining set is from legacy French brand Fermob. The Metal Bistro Chair and Metal Bistro Table, shown in Cactus, is $308 for 2 chairs and $392 for the round table at Pottery Barn.
Above: The HAY Balcony Cafe Set is a contemporary interpretation of bistro seating; $995 at Design Within Reach.
Do you prefer bench seating outdoors? See High/Low: Fermob Bench for Less?
N.B.: This story originally appeared on March 27, 2013 and has been updated with new links and pricing.
